MLB.com reporters bring you the latest news 24/7

Results tagged ‘ San Francisco Giants ’

With pitchers and catchers scheduled to report to Spring Training in less than two weeks, time is running out for free-agent starters A.J. Burnett, Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez and Bronson Arroyo to find work. However, the Orioles are rumored to be in talks with those big-name arms, writes MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli.

Baltimore executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said Saturday his club has “some more work to do this offseason.” In addition to talking to several free-agent starters, Duquette and the Orioles would also like to avoid an arbitration hearing with catcher Matt Wieters. For his part, Wieters said he’s staying out of the contract negotiations.

Perhaps once Burnett, Santana, Jimenez or Arroyo reaches a deal with a club, the rest will follow suit. Although that quartet remains on the market, there was still movement on the Hot Stove on Saturday:

• The Nationals and right-handed starter Doug Fister agreed to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. With Fister under contract for 2014, reliever Tyler Clippard is the only player expected to take Washington to arbitration this month. Clippard seeks $6.35 million, while the Nationals have offered $4.45 million.

• In a similar development, the Dodgers and catcher A.J. Ellis avoided arbitration by coming to terms on a 2014 contract worth $3.55 million plus incentives. That leaves closer Kenley Jansen as the only remaining Dodgers player eligible for arbitration. Jansen is looking for $5.05 million and the club has offered $3.5 million.

• Veteran utility man Emilio Bonifacio was designated for assignment by the Royals in a move to clear roster space for left-handed starter Bruce Chen, who recently inked a new contract. Kansas City has 10 days to place Bonifacio on waivers, release him or trade him.

• Giants head of baseball operations Brian Sabean said the organization would still consider signing a veteran reliever, though “it would have to be at a minimal price.”

The Giants added some infield depth on Friday night, acquiring Marco Scutaro and cash from the Rockies for Triple-A infielder Charlie Culberson.

Despite losing out to the division rival Angels for Zack Greinke, the Rangers are “not necessarily” turning their attention to the Rays’ James Shields or the Marlins’ Josh Johnson, a source told our own T.R. Sullivan.

Shields and Johnson are the two premiere names left in the starting pitching market. Several teams, including the Rangers, Dodgers, Braves and Cardinals are rumored to hold interest in Shields. But the veteran right-hander insisted the situation hasn’t been a distraction and that he’d like to remain with Tampa Bay. The Marlins, meanwhile, are asking for a ton in exchange for Johnson.

The Phillies probably aren’t ready to part with center fielder Shane Victorino just yet, but they are listening to offers, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

As the Mets’ All-Star right field plays in what could be his final home game at Citi Field, the rumors continue to swirl as to where Carlos Beltran could be going before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reported Thursday morning that the Giants, long considered one of the front-runners to land Beltran, are having second thoughts due to the fact that the Mets are holding out for a high-end prospect. On the other hand, he writes that the Phillies are willing to part ways with prospects so long as the Mets take on a large portion of the $6 million Beltran is owed for the rest of the season, a payment the Mets are thought to be willing to make.

According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, the Brewers are also interested in Beltran, but will have trouble rustling up the prospects to pay for him after gutting their farm system to acquire Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke this past off-season.

In addition, Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Sandy Alderson has given a list of potential destinations to Beltran for his approval. According to Brown, Beltran, who has a full no-trade clause, has not ruled out any of the teams presented. The teams listed are thought to include the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers and possibly the New York Yankees.

Start your own MLB.com Blog now!

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.